BHUTAN

You will be met on arrival in Delhi and transferred to your luxury hotel quite close to the airport. This is an oasis of quiet with exemplary service and amenities.

Today enjoy two exceptional excursions: firstly to the incomparably beautiful Qutab
Minar, then onto one of India’s most impressive private Art Foundations with
outstanding collections of terracotta, textiles and everyday objects., where you will
have lunch.

This morning is an early start for the flight to Paro. On arrival the road follows the
river all the way to the capital Thimpu, where in recent years much development has
occurred but where there are still no traffic lights.
After lunch cross the oldest cantilevered covered bridge for the trek through pine and
oak forests to Cheri Goemba the first Buddhist Monastic school from 1627 that still
contains many sacred relics and is a meditation centre for higher level Buddhist
studies.

Of the many fascinating sites in Thimpu you will certainly visit the marvellous
National Museum of Textiles, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum that educates
young students in the thirteen traditional arts including sculpture, painting, metal
work, silversmithing, the memorial Chorten and the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving
Centre.

Enjoy the beauty and charms of Paro, easily Bhutan’s most delightful town that
evokes an exotic film set. Western Bhutan boasts a most beautiful valley where
nature and man consulted to create their dearest image. Mt. Chomoihari reigns in
white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial waters plunge through
deep gorges to form the Pa-Chu (Paro River)
Visit the Rinpung Dzong, with its cantilever bridge, the National Museum, and
wander along Paro’s main streets that offer good shopping for handicrafts and local
jewellery.

The first stop today is at Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutanese royal family and one of the most exquisitely decorated, with wonderful paintings throughout. Continue to the breathtaking glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, a designated conservation area bordering the Black Mountain National Park where large flocks of black-necked cranes come to winter. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the Country, and described as “the most beautiful spot in the most beautiful country in the Himalayas”. Your lodge is possibly the most glamorous and luxurious “farmhouse” you’ve ever stayed in.

This morning begins with a casual stroll through the quaint village of Gangtey, taking in the simplicity of life in this remote mountain hideaway, before visiting the ancient altars and ramparts of the dominating Goemba. You may even wish to arrange a pre breakfast meditation with the monks.
From the Goemba, a gentle trek downhill through flower meadows and miniature forests of dwarf bamboo across a trout filled brook. Return in time to enjoy the lodge’s famed hot-stone bath filled with healing Artemisia that grows wild.

This morning fly to Bumthang, This is highly recommended to avert the need for long
arduous return drives as many of Bhutan’s roads are still under widening
construction. Central Bhutan is the cultural and spiritual heart of the country. The
beautiful valley with numerous apple orchards and crops boasts numerous villages
and goembas and weaving traditions abound, especially the distinctive and brightly
coloured yethra. Visit an antique collector and the Swiss cheese factory.

Stretch your legs with a wonderful walk across prayer flag decorated bridges to reach
the spectacular Wangdichholing Palace built in 1857 and Lamey Goemba. It’s not
unusual to find one of the lamas in residence who may give you a special blessing.
You may also choose to visit other monasteries and temples in the valley. Jambay &
Kurjey Lhakhangs are the oldest two monasteries in the kingdom. The Tamshing
Monastery is home to about 90 young monks, mostly from poorer families.

En route back to Paro, stop in the once charming sleepy little capital, Thimpu. There is a fabulous Museum of Textiles and the possibility of visiting the studio of young artists. TWINZ Artists, Tashi Dendup & Ugyen Samdrup are beginning to gain a reputation as contemporary painters who mix Bhutanese iconography with European influences. If she is in town, we might also invite long time habitué, an American writer who is marred to a famous thanka painter to join us for lunch. Thimpu is also the best place for those wanting to acquire Bhutanese crafts and the Painting School is an educational institute that teaches and preserves all thirteen of Bhutan’s artistic practices and can be visited.

Today’s drive over high mountains passes through forests of blood red
rhododendrons and soaring magnolias is memorable. Arrive in the breathtaking
glacial valley of Phobjika on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, a designated
conservation area bordering the Black Mountain National Park where large flocks of
black-necked cranes come to winter. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves
in the Country, and described as "the most beautiful spot in the most beautiful
country in the Himalayas". The valley boasts two meandering rivers, where you can
enjoy an exhilarating walk through forests and vast meadows. The restored Goemba
at Gangtey is outstanding.

For the energetic it is planned to take the hike to Takshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest), one of 13 of the most revered Buddhist pilgrim sites in the Himalayan world. “Tiger’s Lair” is considered an intensely spiritual place and the quite challenging 5-hour walk is most interesting. It is also possible to only walk half way up to the viewing point of the monastery where there is a café serving light refreshments. For the more culturally inclined there is much to occupy the curious traveller with holy sites and shopping.
Your lodge here is the first luxury property in Bhutan set in sprawling, beautifully landscaped grounds, with meadows, an archery field and indoor pool.

PARO | INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES

Your will be transferred to the airport in time for your international departure. Most flights leave in the morning. Druk Air flies via Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok and Singapore.

SUGGESTED TOUR EXTENSIONS:
Kathmandu
Kashmir via Delhi